Odisha Warriors’ Yibbi Jansen (No. 8) leads the celebration after scoring her second goal.
| Photo Credit: R.V. MOORTHY
Yibbi Jansen’s double penalty corner conversion propelled Odisha Warriors to a 4-1 win over Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the women’s competition of the Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Sunday.
Warriors’ third victory in front of their home crowd took them to the top of the table.
Warriors created a few good chances early on but could not achieve success due to Tigers’ alert goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon.
Tigers replied by launching some raids, led by Hannah Cotter. At the stroke of the first break, Tigers earned a short corner which resulted in a stroke before being cancelled by Warriors’ referral.
Warriors showed better coordination while attacking with more intensity in the second quarter. The Dutch duo of Yibbi and Michelle Fillet combined beautifully to draw first blood. Yibbi sent in a diagonal pass from half-line and Michelle unleashed a cracking shot from top of the circle to score a spectacular goal.
Yibbi sounded the board to convert Warriors’ first short corner in style and double the lead.
Backed by vociferous home supporters, Warriors, featuring four local players, made several forays but Rutuja Pisal and Neha Goyal missed great opportunities.
Tigers’ custodian Grace remained vigilant to blunt some attacks, including the one by Neha.
Just before half-time, Tigers pulled one back as Udita skilfully foxed Jocelyn Bartram with a grounder off a penalty corner and made some justice to her team’s 76 per cent possession at the halfway mark.
Amid interceptions and counters from both sides, Lalremsiami boosted Tigers’ attack in the third quarter. Warriors’ circle entries got them two more penalty corners.
Yibbi showcased another low drag-flick and Neha struck home in the final period to seal the issue for Warriors.
The result: Odisha Warriors 4 (Michelle 16, Yibbi 18, 47, Neha 58) bt Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 1 (Udita 30).
Published – January 19, 2025 08:01 pm IST
